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Rep. Barbara Lee’s “Food as Medicine” Vision Becomes Federal Program

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) commended the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for launching the first-ever Food is Medicine (FIM) initiative virtual toolkit. The service is an interactive website with resources to advance the initiative nationwide to help communities reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases and food insecurity. Lee applauded the HHS for supporting the development and expansion of the initiative across the country.

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) commended the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for launching the first-ever Food is Medicine (FIM) initiative virtual toolkit. The service is an interactive website with resources to advance the initiative nationwide to help communities reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases and food insecurity.

Lee applauded the HHS for supporting the development and expansion of the initiative across the country.

“The online toolkit will go a long way in helping communities across the country understand how to implement FIM programs and why they are critical to the people they serve. To put it simply: Nutritious foods are the cornerstone of good health,” said Lee.

“I look forward to working alongside local, state, and federal stakeholders as we continue to work to ending hunger and to transforming our ‘disease care system’ to a true health care system,” she said.

The HHS hosted its first-ever Food is Medicine Summit in January 2024, developing the FIM initiative and raising $2 million secured by Lee to launch the national Food as Medicine Program.

During her time in Congress, Lee has been an outspoken advocate fighting for people to have equal access to healthy and nutritious food and resources to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The FIM initiative was created building on the success of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health hosted by the Biden-Harris Administration. The conference had various stakeholders from various industries including medical professionals, policymakers, advocates, researchers, and farmers. Attendees at the conference helped craft a national strategy to end hunger in the country.

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Oakland Post: Week of February 12 – 18, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of February 12 – 18, 2025

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Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee Reflects on Her Career as She Bids Farewell to Congress

“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.

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Rep. Barbara Lee. File photo.
Rep. Barbara Lee. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Outgoing Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) expressed deep gratitude to her constituents and marked the end of her 26-year career in public service.

Lee, who is succeeded by Lateefah Simon, a civil rights and racial justice activist, praised people in her community for their support. She also highlighted her dedication to promoting peace, justice, and equity.

“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.

Throughout her tenure, Lee earned a reputation as a principled lawmaker known for taking bold and sometimes unpopular stances. One of her defining moments came in 2001 when she was the sole member of Congress to vote against the Authorization for the Use of Military Force in response to the September 11 attacks. This decision led to death threats but ultimately cemented her legacy of courage.

Lee’s leadership extended beyond her district, where she fought for social justice, the rights of low-income communities, and global health initiatives. She was a key figure in pushing for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). She was a vocal critic of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion services.

The Congresswoman also faced significant challenges in her career, including a failed Senate bid in 2024. Yet, Lee’s efforts have paved the way for more excellent representation, with more Black women now elected to Congress. She worked closely with organizations like Representation Matters to encourage more women of color to run for office.

Lee says she looks to the future, confident that the next generation of leaders will continue her unfinished work, particularly on issues like military force and reproductive rights.

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Oakland Post: Week of February 5 – 11, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of February 5 – 11, 2025

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